Rat Integrin Alpha 6 (ITGa6) Protein

Background

Integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6) is part of the integrin family, a group of transmembrane receptors that mediate cell adhesion and interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM). ITGA6 specifically pairs with either integrin beta 1 (ITGB1) or integrin beta 4 (ITGB4) to form the α6β1 and α6β4 integrins, which primarily bind to laminins, an essential component of the basement membrane. These integrin complexes play critical roles in tissue integrity, cellular architecture, and signal transduction, mediating functions such as cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. In pathological conditions, dysregulation of ITGA6 has been implicated in cancer progression, tissue fibrosis, and inflammatory diseases. Due to its involvement in cancer cell migration and invasion, ITGA6 is considered a potential therapeutic target, particularly in cancers of epithelial origin.